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Atom vs Dot - What's the difference?

atom | dot | Synonyms |

In mathematics terms the difference between atom and dot

is that atom is a non-zero member of a Boolean algebra that is not a union of any other elements while dot is a symbol used for separating the fractional part of a decimal number from the whole part, for indicating multiplication or a scalar product, or for various other purposes.

As nouns the difference between atom and dot

is that atom is the smallest medieval unit of time, equal to fifteen ninety-fourths of a second while dot is a small spot.

As a verb dot is

to cover with small spots (of some liquid).

As a preposition dot is

dot product of the previous vector and the following vector.

As a proper noun Dot is

diminutive of the female given name Dorothy.

As an acronym DOT is

department of Transportation.

atom

English

(wikipedia atom)

Alternative forms

* atomus (obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (history of science) A hypothetical particle posited by Greek philosophers as an ultimate and indivisible component of matter.
  • (physics, chemistry) The smallest possible amount of matter which still retains its identity as a chemical element, now known to consist of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=September-October, author= Katie L. Burke
    • , magazine=(American Scientist), title= In the News , passage=Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis:
  • A mote of dust in a sunbeam.
  • The smallest, indivisible constituent part or unit of something. (Now generally interpreted as a figurative use of the physics sense, above.)
  • * 1835 , Sir , Sir (James Clark Ross), Narrative of a Second Voyage in Search of a North-west Passage …'', Volume 1 , pp.284-5
    • Towards the following morning, the thermometer fell to 5°; and at daylight, there was not an atom of water to be seen in any direction.
  • A very small amount (of something immaterial); a whit.
  • * 1873 , (Isabella Macdonald Alden) (as "Pansy"), Three People , Western Tract and Book Society (1873), page 325:
    • "I have hardly the faintest atom of hope," answered this honest, earnest man.
  • *
    • those of us who are capable of it are forced to work to the last atom of our strength
  • (mathematics) A non-zero member of a (Boolean algebra) that is not a union of any other elements.
  • (computing, programming, Lisp) An individual number or symbol, as opposed to a list. A scalar value.

    • Synonyms

    * See also * (small amount) see also .

    Related terms

    * atom smasher * atomic * atomize

    See also

    * element

    References

    * archived version of Wikipedia page "Atom (disambiguation)"

    Anagrams

    * * * * * ----

    dot

    English

    (wikipedia dot)

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A small spot.
    • a dot of colour
  • (grammar) A punctuation mark used to indicate the end of a sentence or an abbreviated part of a word; a full stop; a period.
  • A diacritical mark comprised of a small opaque circle above or below any of various letters of the Latin script. Examples include: ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, etc.
  • (mathematics) A symbol used for separating the fractional part of a decimal number from the whole part, for indicating multiplication or a scalar product, or for various other purposes.
  • One of the two symbols used in Morse code.
  • (obsolete) A lump or clot.
  • Anything small and like a speck comparatively; a small portion or specimen.
    • a dot of a child
  • (cricket, informal) A dot ball.
    • Synonyms
    * (small spot) speck, spot * (at the end of a sentence or abbreviation) full stop (British), period (US), point * (as a diacritic) tittle (over the letters i and j) * (sense) decimal point * (in Morse code) dit
    Derived terms
    (terms derived from dot) * centered dot, centred dot * connect the dots * dotcom * dot matrix * dot matrix printer * dot product * dottel * dottle * dotty * join the dots * middle dot * off one's dot * on the dot * polka dot * the year dot

    Verb

    (dott)
  • To cover with small spots (of some liquid).
    • His jacket was dotted with splashes of paint.
  • To add a dot (the symbol) or dots to.
    • Dot your i''s and cross your ''t s.
  • To mark by means of dots or small spots.
    • to dot a line
  • To mark or diversify with small detached objects.
    • to dot a landscape with cottages
    Derived terms
    * dot do dot * dot the i's and cross the t's

    Preposition

    (English prepositions)
  • Dot product of the previous vector and the following vector.
    • The work is equal to F dot ?x.
    Coordinate terms
    * *

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) dot.

    Alternative forms

    * dote

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (US, Louisiana) A dowry.
  • * 1919 , , (The Moon and Sixpence) ,
    • "Have you the pictures still?" I asked.
    "Yes; I am keeping them till my daughter is of marriageable age, and then I shall sell them. They will be her dot ."
  • * 1927 , Anna Bowman Dodd, Talleyrand: the Training of a Statesman :
    • As a bride, Madame de Talleyrand had brought a small dot of fifteen thousand francs to the family fund.

    Anagrams

    * ----